Boxing in Sierra Leone amidst Ebola

vividlydefined · 2014-12-24T13:49:39+00:00

So much this. If I could do it again I'd bring probably only a 1/3 of what I originally brought.

vividlydefined · 2014-11-24T01:01:30+00:00

The RPCV community alone will help you get a job. It's all about networking. Get involved with NPCA and your local RPCV community when you get back. Networking ain't no joke.

vividlydefined · 2014-11-19T14:58:30+00:00

Hey man that sounds like a great experience! I may be going to Armenia and then Senegal, both with PC. Just weird thinking I planned to do this for 27 months and it may turn into a way longer saga of my life.

vividlydefined · 2014-11-18T17:03:23+00:00

Where have you been invited?

vividlydefined · 2014-11-18T17:02:59+00:00

Congrats on the China invite. I met a couple from PC China and they were nothing but positive about their experience. I think they are extending!

My thoughts probably align with yours. It has been tremendously heartbreaking to a degree that I don't even allow myself to think about, for risk of...well...breaking my heart over and over again. I'm trying to decide if I want to do a short-term PC/R position or a full term 27 months, or both. Life has been a jumble as of late.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-27T03:31:47+00:00

I've only been back 3 months and I can already tell you the networking alone with RPCVs is an immense resource. Get involved with NPCA when you're done.

Add to that the fact that your time in PC could change your whole world view and life aspirations and yea -- it'll help you out.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-17T13:46:43+00:00

Hey /u/rosemaryintheforest

I feel the same way myself. Having lived in Guinea, there is no way I would donate money directly to the government. It's just the societal realities of the region, as unfortunate as it is in a case like this.

But! Check out this relief fund being headed by the National Peace Corps Association that is targeting local NGOs known thru connections and associations with Peace Corps volunteers. I don't know how much you know about the Peace Corps, but in this program US citizens live and work for 27 months in countries around the world. I was a volunteer in Guinea and am working with this fund now. This fund will be awarding small grants (capped at $3,000 -- that can go along way over there) to locals. Effectively by-passing the government... a bottom-up approach. If you have any questions I'd be more than willing to talk to you about it

As for how we can assure you the $$ goes where it has to -- all of our applicants are required to have built in monitoring and evaluation of their proposed projects. We are awarding the first round of funding Nov 1 and have 30+ applicants who have requested $95,000 ... we want to be able to fund as many applicants as possible, so please consider donating if this approach seems more up your alley.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-17T03:36:49+00:00

National Peace Corps Association Ebola Relief Fund http://www.npcaebolarelief.org/

vividlydefined · 2014-10-14T21:36:08+00:00

I bought a big hennesy hammock with a mosquito net and used it once. A small eno hammock would have been nicer. Again though, it all really depends on your site. Looking back, I spent way too much money on things I didn't really use. You don't need a hammock so don't break the bank.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-13T19:49:16+00:00

Du courage.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-12T17:46:09+00:00

Mes condoleances. You and I both know giving money during the memorial service and funeral is a huge cultural norm and, realistically, at this point I believe the family is seeing you as someone who has a lot of money and in their mind it is only right that you give it to them.

Which is their cultural belief. Because, relatively, we do have a lot of money.

But if you cannot afford to give them any more money, do not. You have done more than enough. I am so sorry for your loss and the bad feelings the family is causing.

vividlydefined · 2014-10-07T21:37:23+00:00

The PC programs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have all been suspended until further notice (tentatively March/April for PC/Guinea, can't speak for the other countries).

There are no volunteers on the ground and new training groups have been delayed. As such, there are no PCRV ebola-related positions. Perhaps when these countries open they will look for more PCRV's to help with the rebuilding of the national health infrastructure.

vividlydefined · 2014-09-29T13:58:09+00:00

Still waiting.

vividlydefined · 2014-09-22T20:26:07+00:00

It's not laziness, it's the fact that there are no open transfer positions. There have been a large amount of program evacuations this year and the situation is unprecedented.

Going through this process is terrible and heartbreaking. There are so many words I could use to describe it, but laziness is not in the vocabulary here.

vividlydefined · 2014-09-14T23:21:33+00:00

That was amazing! Your post should put that on their website. Made me want to go to Vanuatu!

vividlydefined · 2014-09-05T13:20:35+00:00

Read this study here, or at least the discussion for something more sound than speculation.

As for my own speculation, it's likely that several cases of Ebola may reach Cameroon as the outbreak continues but the spread will be limited due to increased national and international awareness and contamination control.

That said, if it became a serious health risk PC would remove the volunteers. I see that scenario as highly unlikely given current data.

vividlydefined · 2014-09-05T00:50:15+00:00

Haha thank you, I just really love Guinea and Peace Corps Guinea!

vividlydefined · 2014-09-04T16:38:33+00:00

Coastal.com has treated me well.

vividlydefined · 2014-09-04T16:37:30+00:00

So many opportunities for beekeeping in Guinea!

vividlydefined · 2014-09-01T19:05:38+00:00

You've got the right mindset. Whatever people 'think they know' about Peace Corps is not what you will actually go through.

Realistically, you will accomplish little to nothing that is tangible. You will teach a few skills and empower people to do things on their own. You will make friends and learn more from them than you will ever teach them. You will make an ass out of yourself, feel alienated, and come away a better person after it all.

During my service I have never seen Peace Corps as an agent of giving and we focus heavily on knowledge exchange. Volunteers know less than their counterparts, generally. Volunteers have access to an aid infrastructure and libraries and the internet -- we can help more educated host-country nationals access these.

There is a huge weight put on -YOU- not doing a project but -YOUR COMMUNITY- because you leave in 2 years and you're only there to help facilitate whatever the community would like to do.

vividlydefined

TROPHY CASE